Sometimes life throws a curve ball and delivers an unexpected surprise. So it was with Torridon, who arrived in the post with, I have to say scant details, not even who plays what…by God the CD within makes up for that in spades. Rewind some what as the album came out back in the summer in their Highland stronghold and the devoted in Scotland lapped it up. Now it’s the turn of those of us south of the border and I’d welcome a full scale invasion as ‘Polaroid,’ is a case of instant surrender.
What is it that makes me so bold in proclaiming this as one of the five best albums I’ve heard this year? Well, put bluntly, ‘Polaroid,’ delivers on all levels. The music is superbly melodic, stacked with hooks, creatively arranged, played immaculately and sounds just like you’d expect a rock album recorded in Ross to sound. The place is at the heart of every track, no doubt, the character shines through. Production is sharp, clear and yet everything is audible, not one instrument is out of place. These guys have their roots sorted, yet joyfully they’ve a large dose of pop thrown in for extra fun. You can dance and throw shapes to this and not always a Highland fling. I’ll bet they’re a pure pleasure live, sadly thus far most action has either been in Scotland or selected parts of Europe. All that could hopefully be about to change.
A short selection at nine tracks opening with ‘The Whitey’ a nuclear blast of pipes and rock which begins with a lone piper and ends as a mash up of guitars, keyboards and propulsive rhythms that any sensible feet just can’t resist. In fact three of the selections are pipe led with ‘Silver Spear,’ getting my vote as best. With all the power of a fighter jet it whirls and tumbles the old reel through loop the loop at sonic speed. It’s a real shot in the arm. In places the guitar work sounds just like early Runrig – tip of the hat to Malcolm Jones – that’s not a comparison I make lightly, the men from Skye are held in high respect in these parts.
From their writing, yes they do record who wrote the songs, Kenneth Smith and Michael Macmillan are a pair of incurable romantics who’ve had more than their fair share of love’s ups and downs, there’s a lot of reflection and what might have been in their lyrics, ‘I Wanna Know’ ‘Some Else’s Someone,’ are both wonderful examples of Celtic pop yet delivered with a heart full of emotion and regret. “I want to know how it feels to spin you round in those heels,” “Take me back before you were someone else’s someone,” they sing in tones of Scottish longing, whilst the band spin brilliant tunes and runs around them establishing their identity with heft and punch. They close with ‘Longest Night,’ a hopeful slice of positivity that initially comes over as full on rock until the pipes join in stamping Highland all over it. Full credit too for the lead guitarist who duals and duets with the pipes all through at speed and with subtlety, when pipes aren’t fitting Torridon don’t resort to a fiddle but cannily use a low whistle to change the tones and atmopshere.
You might just be getting the idea I really do love this album. You’d be right. It’s five star any day. Start here then dig back, they’ve earlier works to explore. Festivals take note as well, they’ll set your event alight – book ’em if you know what’s good for your audience.
Unreservedly recomended. Essential purchase and no mistake.
Simon Jones.
www.torridonlive.com www.birnamcd.com
